Post-trauma coping in the context of significant adversity : a qualitative study of young people living in an urban township in South Africa
Date
2017-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Abstract
Objective Compared with knowledge of the post-trauma
needs of young people living in developed countries, little
is known about the needs of those in low-middle-income
countries. Such information is crucial, particularly as young
people in these environments can be at increased risk of
experiencing trauma, coupled with less available resources
for formal support. The aim of this study was to explore
post-trauma coping and support-seeking of young people
living in a high-adversity settlement in South Africa.
Design Semistructured qualitative interviews analysed
using thematic analysis.
Setting An urban settlement (‘township’) in Cape Town,
South Africa.
Participants 25 young people, aged 13–17 years, who
had experienced trauma. Events included serious car
accidents, hearing of a friend’s violent death, and rape,
and all reported having experienced multiple traumatic
events. All participants identified as black South African
and spoke Xhosa as their first language.
Results Social support was considered key to coping
after trauma, although the focus of the support differed
depending on the source. Parents would most commonly
provide practical support, particularly around safety. Peers
often provided an avenue to discuss the event and young
person’s emotional well-being more openly. Outside of
social support another key theme was that there were
numerous community-level barriers to participants
receiving support following trauma. Many young people
continued to be exposed to the perpetrator of the event,
while there was also the realistic concern around future
traumas and safety, community stigma and a perceived
lack of justice.
Conclusion This study provides insight into how young
people cope and seek support following trauma when they
are living in a context of significant adversity and risk.
Overall, most young people identified helpful sources of
support and thought talking about the event was a useful
strategy, but concerns around safety and trust could
impede this process.
Description
CITATION: Hiller, R. M. et al. 2017. Post-trauma coping in the context of significant adversity : a qualitative study
of young people living in an urban township in South Africa, BMJ Open, 7(10):e016560. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016560.
The original publication is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/
The original publication is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/
Keywords
Post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescence -- South Africa, Psychic trauma in adolescence, Mental health -- South Africa, Post-traumatic stress disorder
Citation
Hiller, R. M. et al. 2017. Post-trauma coping in the context of significant adversity : a qualitative study
of young people living in an urban township in South Africa, BMJ Open, 7(10):e016560. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016560.